PS 3515 
.P943 
jF3 
1901 
Copy 1 



«IV 14 



mt 



-THE 



1 ALL OF ROME. 



A- 



DRAMA IN THREE ACTS, 



INTRODUCING SPECTACULAR GYMNASTICS. 



BY- 



MARCELLUS T. HAYES, LL. B., 

Director of the Gymnasium, Trinity School, 139-147 West 91st Street, 

New York. 



NEW YORK: 

RooNEY & Otten Printing Co. 

1900. 



THE- 



FALL OF ROME 



DRAMA IN THREE ACTS, 



INTRODUCfNG SPECTACULAR GYMNASTICS. 



-HY- 



MARCKLLUS T. HAYES, LL.B., 

Director of the Gymnasium, Trinity School, 139-147 West 91st Street, 
New York. 

Formerly 

Instructor in the Following Gymnasiums: Norfolk, Va., Y. M. C. A.; 

Des Moines, Iowa, Y. M. C. A.; Randolph-Macon College, Va. ; 

Secretary and Instructor, Columbia University Gymnasium. 

Also 

Director of the following Gymnasiums: University of Alabama, Collegiate 

School, N. Y. ; Prospect Heights School, Brooklyn ; University 

Settlement Society, N. Y. ; and Associate Principal, 

Vanderbilt University Summer School for 

Higher Physical Training. 



Copyright, igor, 
By 
MARCELLUS T- HAYES. 

All rights reserved. 



Two Copies REOEivfo ; 

JAN 14»01 

SECOND COPY 






CAST OF CHARACTERS 



Messala {A Rof/nin General). 
Ionia [His Daughie?-). 



Flavius 



lUS \ 

Y {Friends <?/ Me 



ssala). 
Luc 10 \ 

Glaucus {A Greek Xob/euian). 

The Slave {who proves io he Nimer, Chief of the Xorih- 
vieii. in bondage to Messala). 

Gallus, \ 

Thord, \ {Slaves -ivith Nimer.) 
Antonio, ) 

Eros, j {Roman Soldiers, appointed to do guard duty 
Paris, f M Messala.) 

HOSH-KOSH \ 

^(K)nigJits in Red 
Llben 1 



THE 



FALL OF ROME 



A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS. 



ACT I. 

Scene ist, — Entertainmeni and feast hall in Messala's 
house. Entej- Paris ivith spear in hand. 

Paris. So the noble Messala is to have another 
feast ! Ah, his constant wine bibbing- and midnight 
revelries cause him to be careless of the legions ; and 
the men seeing a lack of discipline, follow their pro- 
pensities and indulge in dissipations that are momen- 
tarily pleasurable to them. But the price paid for 
such sport is dear — already a wave of weakness is 

manifest among the army, and 

Enter Eros. 

Eros. Ho, Paris ! We are to perform our same 
old duty to-night, and watch the slaves while they 
act as entertainers for Messala's guests. 

Paris. They are a sturdy lot — and do you know — 
1 sometimes fear that, when they are loose from their 

3 



chains on these occasions, they might surprise us and 
make us objects of their vengeance. They could 
easily do it. Drunken ^lessala and his friends would 
not be a handful to those agile, muscular fellows — and 
you see there are only two of us. 

Eros. Have no fear, Paris, they are afraid to try 
such an undertaking as that; and even if they suc- 
ceeded in freeing themselves from the house the 
Northmen are too well known all over the city for 
them to escape from it. If they were seen outside it 
would create suspicion — an investigation would follow 
and so on. Fear not, they thnik too much of their 
precious necks to risk any such chances. 

Paris. But all the same something seems to tell 
me that they are more than common clay and that 
some day they will be free. They are a noble race — 
I hate to admit it — mark me ; the time is not far when 
they throw off their chains. 

Eros. Idle fears Paris — do not cultivate a "lily 
liver.'" 

Paris. Not so. I look a little further than my 
nose, I am not like you shallow brained fellows that 
know not where your next meal is coming from. 

Eros. Hold ! ( Walks ioivard Paris /// threatening 
?/ianner). 

Paris. The honors are equally divided — well have 
no row here. 

Eros. You are right, we need to stand by each 
other. 

Paris. Is it not time for Messala and his guests to 
arrive .' 

Eros. Yes ; they are now past due — Things are 
ready — They should be here. 



5 
Paris. I say Eros. I have a scheme, a secret. 

Enter Mess a la. 

Mess. You have eh ! My soldiers should have no 
secrets from me — out w^ith it ! {Pause.) 

Paris. Well you see, my lord, I was just going to 
tell Eros- about my-ah-marriage. {aside) Humph ! I 
must be a first-class liar^ — he took it all in. 

Mess. I came up especially myself to see about 
the drug — when I call for wine— see that the drug 
is smuggled within my reach. Wine will do for the 
others. {Exit.) 

Paris. I will unfold my plan to you later — they 
will be back before I could get half through with it. 

Eros. I think I know what's in your mind — at 
least, I have suspicion. You and 1 are considering the 
same move. 

Paris. Possibly so ; yet 'tis unwise to be too glib 
of tongue. 

Eros. I agree with you ; but a friend may com- 
mune with friend upon the most dangerous topics 
with safety. 

Paris. If you are sure of the friendship. 

Eros. Well, our lives have run a parallel course ; 
if you have noticed, our fortunes and misfortunes 
have been similar, particularly our misfortunes, and I 
believe that our friendship is more than surface deep. 

Paris. Well spoken, and T am not the one to dis- 
courage the idea. 

{Clasp hands.) 

Eros. We understand each other now, though not 
a word has been said. 

Paris. Kindred spirits generally have silent under- 



standings ; actions and expressions sometimes tell 
more than words. 

Eros. Just so, and I make bold to say that Mes- 
salas brutal treatment of us last winter has brought 
us close together, and put the same idea into our 
minds. 

Paris. That is, to help the Northmen to escape 
and go with them ourselves, and some day fight 
against Rome and get our revenge. 

Eros. My sentiments precisely. {Pause.) Ha 1 
Ha ! Ha ! I say Paris, I was thinking of the pre- 
tense each of us was making about fearing the North- 
men when free from their chains, when you and I both 
have been striving for their freedom, 

Paris. Too bad we didn't have an understanding. 

Eros. Hist I Someone approaches, let us to the 
adjoining hall. 

Enter Ionia and Nimer. 

lo. Did you not here the sound of voices as we 
approached } 

Ni. I thought so I 

lo. I wonder if we are suspected ? Yet no one 
has seen us. I don't believe we are, but I will look 
around. 

Ni. I am afraid you are running too much risk for 
me. 

lo. Ah, not sol I would risk life itself for you! 

Ni. Brave and gentle heart ; those words are worth 
all the miseries of captivity. 

lo. It grieves me to think of your misfortunes and 
present condition. Yet I have shown you the secret 
tunnel, known only to my father and myself ; Escape 
now I Pass through yonder hall ; slide the panel. 



the third from the center and within ten minutes you 
may be free as air! free from your misery and harsh 
treatment ; free to return to your country and to your 
people. 

{Pause. Ni. stands motionless.) 

Why let the golden opportunity pass ? If you love 



me go ! go! ! 



Ni. Your emotion and words are music to my 
soul. There is no earthly inheritance or paradise for 
man that begins to compare with a woman tried and 
true. {Pause.) But I cannot go! I cannot go!! You 
would think less of me if I left my poor fellows ! I 
cannot leave them ! 

lo. O, go! go ! ! Leave it to me to bring about 
their escape. 

Ni. No, They go when I go ; freedom for all, or 
chains for me ! {Pause.) Besides I am not so eager 
to leave you. 

lo. Some day you could return for me. 

Ni. So I shall, so I shall ! Some day when we re- 
duce Rome to ashes. 

lo. Her fate is surely coming. I cannot help see- 
ing it. Our young men and our old men are given 
up to vice. 

Ni. But let us not be too sad — there is some sun- 
shine left for us — we have each other. 

Id. We hope so, but life is very uncertain. 

Ni. I have a plan which, if successful, will give us 
all our liberty; and since you have told me of the 
secret tunnel our chances are better. 

Id. I hope for your success. 

Ni. Let me once return to my country and I will 
prove myself to you, as you have to me. 



Jo. I need no proof; tattered and soiled garments 
cannot hide the nobility of the soul. 

Ni. But I must return to my prison and to my 
fellows, and wait patiently for another opportunity 
when my angel of mercy can lead me forth for a few 
more moments of freedom and fresh air. Every mo- 
ment I remain here increases your danger. So farewell. 
{Exit Ni Ihroiigli one door, lo, through another, ) 

Enter Paris and Eros. 

Paris. [Whistles.) Well, by Jove, what do you 
think of that ? Messala's daughter in love with the 
Northman chief I 

Eros. Things seem to be running our way ; she 
will aid him to escape, and the sooner that takes place 
the sooner we can leave and work for our revenge. 

Paris. Well, I am glad; the Northman is a sturdy, 
upright fellow. I admire her common sense. Be- 
sides, it will not be so hard to serve our new master 
if we have a daughter of Rome as mistress. 

Eros. True, we will soon launch our boat on the 
flood tide that leads to fortune. 

Paris. Ah, I think I hear Messala coming! {Exit 
Paris and Eros. ) 

Enter Messala with Flavius and Lucio. 
Mess. {At eiitrance) Come, friends ! Let us make 
merry with wine and the other palatable luxuries 
{all inside). You see the fashions change, not many 
years ago the style was just opposite to what it is 
now. Wine was a thing frowned upon and men in 
the army almost worshipped physical power. But 
now, since we have that wonderful invention, gun- 
powder, to take the place of the wooden spear, and 



the good steel broad-sword, the premium on muscle 
power is not so high. 

Lucio. Messala has a long head, what matters it 
now if we do indulge our appetites and enjoy life ; 
and suppose wine and midnight fun do weaken our 
muscles and retard our powers of agility; is it not a 
fair exchange ? Are we not enhancing the pleasure of 
living ? What is life for anyway ? Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! 

Mess. Yes ! Are we not conquerors .? The world 
bows at the feet of Rome. What have we to fear? 
Drink on friends — wine is a glorious invention and 
gives birth to the pleasure that has no twin-sister in all 
the universe ; {aside) except the more delicious drug. 

Fla. That may all be true and I enjoy these weekly 
assemblies where wine and woman are mistresses of 
the night; and although I believe gunpowder is an in- 
vention that will aid us in future battles, still, I hate 
to see the young men becoming so indifferent to the 
powers of their own limbs. Tm afraid it is not a good 
sign. 

Mess. 



T r Ha! Ha! Ha! 

Lucio, 

Mess. Fill up his goblet again; he hasn't had 
enough to make a woman jolly! 

Fla. But, my lords, we must not take us much as 
usual to-night, we must remember that the fair Ionia 
is also to enjoy this entertainment. 

Mess. Your caution is timely; she does not be- 
lieve in more than a goblet or two. 

Fla. And who would forfeit her favor? 

Lucio. By Juno, it is time for Glaucus, the Greek, 
to arrive. I wonder what keeps him? 

Mess. It matters not, this is only an informal affair 



for you, my special friends. We can just as well drink 
again with them when they come. 

Lucio, By the gods, another sip at the cup will 
only make us more capable of enjoying the new form 
of entertamment that Messala has been telling us of. 

Mess. Paris! (Paris appears at door) Inform Ionia 
that the company awaits her presence. 

Fla. Also state that in her absence the hours drag 
heavily. {Exit Paris. ) 

Lucio. Of course Flavins doesn't mean to be un- 
complimentary to us. But, it does look as if it were 
another case of "not loving Caesar less but Rome 
more." Am I not right? I cannot blame you — I 
would mark out the same course myself but I fear 
'twould be useless. 

{Enter Paris) 

Paris. I met them on the way. 

Fla. Met them, who? 

Paris. Why, the fair Ionia and the noble Greek. 

Fla. By the curses of Jupiter, the Greek stands in 
my way. {Enter Ionia and Glaucus.) 

Ionia. I hope I have not been the cause of any 
delay. 

Glau. I was detained necessarily. 

Lucio. Very evident. 

Mess. This is no time for excuses — let us to our 
banquet. Paris, more wine. {The goblets are filled, 
each clicks his goblet with the other. Paris takes spear, 
exit. ) 

Glau. {rising) Just a moment, I desire to drink 
to the health of the company and to repeat what I 
think a very appropriate verse: 



" I drink this cup 

To one made up 

Of all the grace and beauty — 

A maiden fair 

With golden hair 

And a soul that loves its duty." 

Lucio. '* Wisdom here is founded and wit doth 
sparkle free. " {In a drunken way. ) 

Ionia. Of wine, I think we have had enough. The 
dice and the betting you are tired of. Why not have 
the slaves come in to amuse us? 

Mess. That is just the form of amusement I had 
designed. Friends, if agreeable, the slaves shall come 
and entertain us with their juggling, feats of skill and 
daring. This is quite an innovation on our regular 
conventional custom, but it has one fascination in the 
fact that it carries us back to more youthful days when 
all the Empire gloried in the games of contest between 
our young men. I love the old custom because it is 
old — although it is of little use to us now. 

Glau. I too, am old enough to remember the 
Olympic games in Greece — and how the winners were 
crowned with the laurel wreath and supported by the 
state. Oh! those old days when all was ambition and 
energy, stimulated and kept alive by activity have 
merged into the present condition of lassitude, dissi- 
pation and weakness. But enough, let us have the 
slaves and while they do their work, we may refresh 
our memories of the past. 

Ionia, (aside) The Slave! the Slave, I shall see 
him again — to-night! 

Mess, (walks to the door and beckons to Paris and 
Eros) Ho! there, Paris and Eros. (Enter Paris and 
Eros.) 



12 

Mess. Escort the slaves hither. {^Exit Paris and 
Eros.) 

Glau. Tell us Messala, how you happen to have 
such a lot of slaves. I have heard of them ever since 
I came to Rome, some three or four weeks ago. From 
what I can learn they are quite a remarkable set. 

Mess. Well, yes, they are; and it is by mere acci- 
dent that we have them now. One night last winter 
we had to go out on a foraging expedition as our pab- 
ulum was getting rather low. We selected the night 
time simply for the fun of the thing, as we had been 
idling around m camp several weeks. We rode much 
further than we thought; and in the darkness sud- 
denly ran upon a band of Northmen. Rome had 
seized a good deal of their territory and as a conse- 
quence the Northmen were up in arms against us — 
preparing to defend themselves. Our appearance took 
them by surprise. There was only a small band of 
them and as Rome needed slaves we brought a thou- 
sand or two of them back with us and scattered them 
over the city to do their masters' bidding. I kept sev- 
eral of them myself — among the number the chief of 
the band. He is a remarkable fellow in the way of 
agility and rather stubborn sometimes. You will see 
a few of his feats to-night. 

Glau. I understand the Northmen are making 
remarkable progress considering their semi-barbaric 
state. They are a stout lot and are very keen wilted. 
If they continue to advance they will some day be 
formidable foes to Rome. They live in a cold, invig- 
orating climate and are numbered by the thousands. 

Mess, {clink of chains outside) I hear the chains, 
they are coming. {Enter Nimer with other slaves.) 



13 

Ni. You sent for me. 

Mess. I did. You are to perform for my guests 
to-night — do your best and it will be good for you. 

Ni. I am indifferent to the good or bad that you 
can do me. 

Mess. Come, come now! I'M have you put in the 
dungeon if you exhibit any stubbornness. 

Ni. {laughs scornfully) The dungeon — what do I 
care for the dungeon.? It would be just as acceptable 
as your domination over me. 

Mess. By Jupiter! You exasperate me. Do you 
intend to do as I bid? (Nimer silent.) 

Me5;s. Answer me, (Nimer looks around at him) 
answer me I say, {drawing sword) or by the god of 
vengeance I'll split your cursed head with this steel. 
[Raises sivord.) 

Ni. Split; {looks at himself) there's nothing to pre- 
vent you. 

Glau. Hold, Messala ! 

Mess. Do you interfere ? Had he winked an eye 
or twiched a muscle he would now be a dead man. 

Ni. What is your purpose? 

Mess. You and your companions are to entertain 
my guests with your agility and gymnastics. 

Ni. We do it— but not specially for you. Some 
day you will see the result of such work as we volun- 
tarily perform to-night. Loose our chains. (Messala 
and his guests continue to drink.) 

Gymnastics af some sort. Club juggling and tumbling. 

Ni. {after juggling) Do you desire anything more? 

Mess. Yes, try something else. (Nimer holds con- 
sultation with other slaves. Tumbling.) 

Ni. {right after tumbling) If Messala and his guests 



14 

will take a position over here, they will be able to see 
the most thrilling feat that we shall perform to-night. 
(Messala and his companions move away from the table 
leaving their swords; the slaves make a dash for thetn. 
The slaves bind the Romans. ) 

Ni. Your slave! Ha! Ha! Ha! Dungeons! Cap- 
tivity, since the ides of March ! Inhuman treatment ! 
All from your hands! By heaven, if I meted out to 
you what you deserve, this sword would relieve you 
of your life's blood. 

Mess. Let the chances be equal — give me a weapon 
like yours — if you fall in the mortal combat, your fel- 
lows return to their chains; if I fall you go free. 

Ni. Agreed, but I scorn you. Would you give me 
any such chance? You think I know not how to 
handle the sword — you are mistaken. I give you the 
chance. {Hands him the sword. They fight — Messala 
is disarmed. Nimer rushes at him. ) 

Mess. Hold! Hold! Give me another chance. 

Ni. Miserable dog ! Take another chance, coward, 
only to die ten times harder. [Hands him knife — 
Messala y^//^.) 

CURTAIN. 



ACT II. 
Scene — One of the many gymnasia of the Northmen s 
Country. Enter Nimer and Glacus. 
Ni. Ah! That was rather a strange but happy 
renewal of our boyhood's friendship. When my eyes 
first rested on your face that night at Messala's house 
I thought there was something familiar about it. 



15 

Glau. Yes, the events in the future are dim — we 
know not what they are to bring forth. Very trifling 
things sometimes change the whole current of a man's 
life. My being a guest at Messalas house has wrought 
all of this about. I am now in your country and with 
your people. 

Ni. I hope you are as well pleased as we are. 
Glau. I am. And it reminds me of years ago when 
you were in my native country, my native city, 
Athens. It reminds me of the time when we studied 
undei' the same masters, ran races and entered into 
the games of contest together; and best of all, when 
that bond of friendship sprang up between us that is 
stronger than the Roman's steel. 

Ni. True, my Glaucus, those memories are deeply 
impressed in this heart. I have always loved you as 
a brother, and now since you are alone in the world 
since your blood relations have departed to a hap- 
pier land, who is nearer to you than Nimer? 
Glau. No one ! 

Nl Since that be so, why not take up our cause 
and fight with my people? We have principle and 
right on our side — and whatever honor our victories 
may bring us you share it with me ! Your position shall 
be as high as mine — our plan is bound to defeat the 
Romans. {After a pause) Do you hesitate, Glaucus.? 

Glau. No! Your victories shall be my glory or 
your fruitless attempt shall be my fall. {They clasp 
hands. ) 

Nl Well, you have been here three months and 
time hasn't permitted me to unfold my plans to you. 
You see, here we have one of the many hundreds of 
gymnasia established all over our country. Our 



i6 

young men — stout hearts and agile fellows that they 
are — are working hard, day and night, increasing their 
powers of endurance and acquiring more strength and 
muscle — while the Romans are retrograding, dissipat- 
ing and indulging themselves in all kinds of weaken- 
ing vices. They out number us but we will sweep 
them off the very face of the earth. 

Glau. I see your idea; the most destructive foes to 
an army are not men, but hunger, fatigue and the 
elements. You propose to have your fellows in such 
a condition that a little cold weather will not freeze 
them to death, or if they have to go on an empty 
stomach a day or two they will not fall over in faint- 
ing spells. 

Ni. Exactly. Two or three years' judicious work 
will put them in a shape that will enable them to 
endure hardships of every kind — such work will give 
them a reliance on themselves that can be obtained in 
no other way — for they learn the power of their own 
limbs. 

Glau. Here's to the success of the plan — woe to 
the Romans! 

Ni. I have been training my special band. 1*11 
have them come in and show you some of their work 
and have you also encourage them by some of your 
feats of skill that we practiced together in Greece. 

(Exit NiMER. ) 

Glau. Enthusiastic fellow ! His plan will succeed 
because he has adopted the right method. Yes, I go 
with him either to victory or death. 

{Enter TnoRB, Gallus, Antonio aiid Paris.) 
Thord. 1 wonder who the stranger is ? 



Gal. His face seems familiar. Where did I see 
him before? 

Paris. Don't you remember him? He was one of 
those popinjays with fine feathers at Messala's house 
the night we escaped. 

Thord. Ah, what is he doing here ? 

Ant. Why, have you not heard it rumored that our 
chief discovered a foreign friend during his captivity? 
This must be the man. 

Gal. To think of those days gives us new zeal in 
our training. Oh, for the time to get back to Rome 
and mete our vengeance to the effeminate legions and 
their wine-soaked generals ! 

Thord. Right you are ; we will never forget the 
inhuman treatment we received in the Roman 
dungeons. 

Ant. My very blood boils ! I am like some wild 
animal with a first taste of blood. I am eager for the 
fray. 

Paris. What you all say is a forcible reminder of 
the many lashes that have fallen across my back, 
each stroke deeply cutting the flesh ; and I charge 
those cruelties to Messala, who is a cold-blooded des- 
pot. My new friends, you know why my comrade 
Eros and myself deserted our native country. First, 
we desired to serve a just master. (Thord, Gallus, 
Antonio, and others applaud, and Thord cries: Bravo, 
Paris, you are our friend, and no common deserter.) 
Second^ I ask only to be given a man's privilege to 
meet my adversaries in open combat and have the 
satisfaction of seeing their blood flow, or an end to my 
existence. 

All. Their blood shall flow as a river. 



i8 

Paris. While the fever is on me so strongly, I 
would that a mortal combat could be arranged be- 
tween Messala s friend yonder and myself. 
Enter Eros. 

To see anything near Messala die would give me a 
glorious satisfaction. 

Eros. Paris, why this fit of frenzy? Know ye not 
that yonder man is a boyhood and schoolmate friend 
of our chief? 

Paris. I am sorry, but since we cannot fight to 
the death I can at least test his strength. He cannot 
be a coward, if he's our master's friend. 

Thord. Nor a weakling either. 

Glaucus. Quiet yourselves, my friends. You have 
worked up to this desire for blood with some reason, 
'tis true, but save your energy for your proper foes. 

Antonio. {^Sneering.) He doesn't seem eager to 
match his strength with Paris. 

Glaucus. I have heard all of your conversation. 
You have not judged me rightly. I am not afraid to 
try my skill against the big soldier from Rome. Come 
on, my man, and get what satisfaction you can out of 
a friendly contest. 

Paris. Really, 'tis a pity to spoil his elegant toga 
What grip will you take, my lord? {Derisively.) Since 
you seem to be an easy antagonist, I will show my 
liberal spirit by giving you the advantage in the hold. 

Glaucus. (Smiling.) I seek no advantage what- 
ever. In all the battles of my life I do my best and 
trust my fate in the hands of the Gods! We will have 
no contest here except on even terms. 

Paris. Well, boys, I'll not be responsible for any 
broken bones. (Winks and laughs.) 



19 

{Glaucus and Paris Wrestle.) {Paris is violently 
thrown.) {He jumps to his feet and asks for another 
fall. Discovers a broken arm.) 

Paris. I would that my member were not broken, 
I would fain try another fall, but I am sufficiently y«5/ 
to acknowledge my defeat. 

Glaucus. Let me set and bind your arm. It grieves 
me to think our sport ended seriously. 

Paris. 'Tis nothing ; a little crack in the bone makes 
it stronger when it heals. {Glaucus hinds arm, Paris 
continues.) You can't always tell comrades in judg- 
ing your man. It is not always the quantity of 
muscle but the quality ye had better look out for. 
My lord's muscles are of steel and his movements of 
lightning. 

Glaucus. {Shakes hands with Paris.) I hope our 
friendship is not too dearly bought. Some friendships 
are worth a fractured skull. 

Thord. All hail the stranger, our friend ! 

All cry : Friend ! 

{Enter Ni. and His Followers.) 

Nl Why such enthusiasm ? {Puts hand on Glaucus' 
shoulder. ) 

Antonio. My lord should have been here and seen 
his friend throw the big Roman soldier as if he were 
a baby. 'Tis a wonder his fall did not crush all his 
bones ! 

Nl Ha! Ha! Ha! A good joke. So he felt the 
iron of your frame, did he ? Ha ! Ha ! Well, the 
next one will be a little more wary. 

Thord. He had better be, my lord. 

Ni. All friends, however ? 

All cry: All! 



20 

Ni. The first light exercise that we shall do culti- 
vates, as we have learned, grace, quickness and co 
ordination of muscle and mind. [Silver wands. After 
wand'drill Nimer says) Now my countrymen, I want 
to introduce to you Glaucus, the Greek nobleman, who 
will enter our work here with us, and whose teachings 
are valuable. And what is more, he has espoused our 
cause and will march with us against Rome. 

All. Glaucus! Glaucus! Long live Glaucus ! 

Thord. Let us to work — what shall it be? (Nimer 
points to parallels — the others qicickly arrange. Work 
on parallels. After parallels, high kicking, then tlie 
horse, etc. ) 

Ni. Comrades ! To-morrow in the arena we are to 
show to the common people, in a unique way, the 
results of complete inactivity and laziness. Go hence, 
now, don your costumes and prepare for a rehearsal. 

Exit all except Gallus, Thord and Nimer. 

Ni. We will now practice our part for the arena's 
entertainment. (Goes to door and beckons to Hosh- 
KosH and Luben who come in and set up behind hori- 
zontal bar. Horizontal bar work. After horizontal bar 
work is over, ''La Comedie Gyninastiques" appear and 
line up in front — bar is quietly removed — ''La Come- 
dies " march around several times and stop in back- 
ground, etc., etc. Nimer viotions to Hosh-Kosh and 
Luben who arrange spring board and mats. ) 

Glau. Well, the "La Comedie" part of to-morrow's 
entertainment will be quite a success. True, it is an 
exaggerated picture, but nevertheless it carries with it 
a resemblance to real life. 

Nl You see, we are trying to show the people 



21 

what a fearful physical condition that a few of then* 
are in. 

Glau. After the spring board exercises, I think we 
had better leave the gymnasium for the night. 
All come in for spring hoard work. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 



Two years later. 
Scene: — Messala's house in Rome. 

Mess. The fates are against us! The gods have 
forsaken us! For already the Northmen are within a 
stone's throw of Rome. Their army has swept every- 
thing before them like a cyclone. Rome is in great 
danger. I see the folly of our dissipation now. 
There's little or no discipline in our legions. The 
men seem to have lost courage, and their strength 
doesn't begin to compare with what it used to be. 
{Enler Flavius.) 

Fla. The tide is turned, and proud Rome is about 
to fall into the hands of the barbarians. Ignominious 
defeat is ours — the last battle tells the tale — the 
Northmen are marching into Rome with vengeance 
marked on their banners. 

Mess. Vengeance they will truly have — and many 
a Roman's blood will flow like rivers from the spear 
and sword thrusts of Nimer's band. 

Fla. Can nothing be done? The, hanging of the 
Northmen on the cross by the roadside three years ago 
is still fresh in their memories. 



Mess. All that is within our power has been done. 
Nothing but supernatural aid could save us now. 
What was victorious Rome is now a fallen empire, no 
longer mistress of the world. Woe! Woe! Woe is 
ours. I would rather see death than her fall. {Enter 
Lucio. ) 

Lucio. The Northmen are now on our very streets, 
and are enriching themselves from the spoils of their 
captives. Property and houses are meeting with 
destruction and flames. Hundreds are momentarily 
losing their lives. We have lost! {Falls across couch.') 

Mess Cursed is the day when I brought the North- 
men captives and slaves to the city! 

Fla. Oh, we were so foolish to place our hopes in 
the new invention — gunpowder. It was a theory then; 
it is a theory now. 

Mess. But did not our astrologers tell us that a 
sword of fire would take the place of the sword of 
steel? Were we not assured that Rome's star was 
reaching its zenith? That henceforth her power 
throughout the earth should never be disputed? And 
did not our alchemists explain to us the force of 
explosion? 

Fla. From the first I regarded it a bad sign to put 
too much faith in an undeveloped theory. Like all 
theories, they are worse than useless, if, in the time of 
need, they cannot be reduced to practice. 

Lucio. Yes, we thought the long tongue of flame 
would lick up our adversaries like a lion laps water. 
What then? We flew to the arms of luxury; we laid 
our heads on the knees of effeminacy; we ceased to be 
men; we sold our souls for the titillation of our nerves; 
LofC. 



23 

we have found — alas, too late — that man-made light- 
ning does not equal that of the gods. 

Mess. Philosophy from you at the present time 
grates on my senses. You were one of the first to 
accept the new order of things and give up to your 
pleasures. 

Lucid 'Tis true ! 'tis true ! But do not chide a fool 
returning to his reason. 

Mess. I still have belief in the new lightning. The 
defects must have been in the heavy implements. 
Tell me how they acted. 

Fla. I was in command at one of the main gates. 
We heard the clash ot the Northmen's steel as they 
rushed upon us. We then applied fire to the new ma- 
chine according to instructions. The thunder that 
fellowed deafened our men and threw them into con- 
fusion. They had no spirit and their movements were 
slow; their strength was gone and they had no cour- 
age. Before we could use the machines again the 
Northmen were upon us like a mighty wind, and 
scattered us like chaff. 

Mess. No doubt the other gates were stormed in 
the same manner. 

Lucio. What are we to do? Where are we to fly? 
Every avenue of escape is blocked. If we fall into the 
hands of the barbarians — 

Fla. Let us die like men. Recuperate a little of 
your old strength and do not stand there quivering 
like a jackdaw. 

Mess. I am almost indifferent to life. The Fates 
must follow their course; if they swallow me up I 
care naught. My life has been useless. There is only 
one tie that binds me to this earth — the maid Ionia. 



24 

Fla. For her I would live — would that I could 
render her some service. 

Lucio. But we lose time; let us think of some plan 
of safety, and take the maid with us.- 

Mess. There's only one way to escape — through 
the secret tunnel. Touch the spring in the third panel 
and the way opens to you. 

Fla. I will examine the spring, in case I should 
have the good fortune to protect Ionia. 

Lucio. Let us away! Let us away ! 
{^Enter Ionia.) 

lo. All seems to be consternation and disquietude. 
Have our forces lost the day? 

Mess. {Jiangs head) They have. 

lo. There was a messenger at the door for you. 
(Exit Messala. ) 

Lucio. {To lo. ) Come with us and save yourself 
while there is time. (lo. , Shakes her head.) Well, I 
am gone. {Rushes to tunnel.) {Exit Lucio.) 

Fla. For many years I have loved you, yet I have 
never dared to tell you so before now, and I hope you 
will not think I am trying to take advantage of these 
turbulent and exciting times to gain your favor, for I 
do you the greatest honor and pay you the highest 
compliment that a man can give to a v> oman — I lay 
my love and whatever character and nobility of soul 
I possess at your feet. Your presence makes me 
forget all danger, yet I would serve you ; I would see 
you out of harm's way. Will you trust me.'* Will you 
give me one word of hope ? Come, let us seek a 
refuge while there is time. 

Id. Impossible! My heart is another's, and I know 
you to be too noble to persuade me further, yet I ap- 



predate all you say, and shall evermore regard you as 
a friend. 

Fla. But think of your fate — worse than death— if 
you remain in this house. 

lo. [Smi/es.) I am not afraid ; you know not what 
I know ! Besides, you must not leave this house. 
You will be safe here. 

Fla. Ah, I remember ! The chief of the slaves! I 
will join your father. (^jr// Flavius. ) 

lo. Queer feelings permeate my heart. My father 
has lost all — my country suffers defeat for the first 
time. But with all of this, enough to make other wo- 
men quail and tremble, a feeling of exhilaration 
overtakes me. For it's not a foe that is coming to 
me, but the king of my heart. Nimer ! Shall I ever 
forget that night, nearly three years ago, when he told 
me that some day he would come back to claim 
me as his own, and that he would come under differ- 
ent circumstances ? This is what he meant. I am 
sorry, yet I am glad. My heart is sad and full of joy 
too. 
Scene 2nd. — Street in Rome. 

{Enter Paris and Eros, partly under tlie 
influence o/ liquor.) 

Paris. Our time, at last, has come comrade, Ha! 
Ha! ! Think of how we will get our revenge. We have 
worked hard for this hour ; we have sacrificed much, 
but the reward is nigh — sweet revenge — think of how 
the old, luxurious reprobate, Messala, will tremble 
when he sees us put in appearance. 

Eros. And think of what agony it will be to him to 
see us embrace the girl. We've got to deal with her 
in order to increase his torture. 



26 

Paris. I warn you now ; 1 11 attend to the girl. 
You run your spear through old Messala at the. proper 
time. I'll take care of the girl. 

Eros. But suppose our chief learns of this ? 

Paris. There you are — skulking coward again. 
How's he going to find out that we carried off the 
maid ? Besides, what was our object in deserting 
Rome in the first place? Revenge! You want to 
give up part of it now for a whim.? Do you suppose 
I am going to return to the North Country ? Not much ! 
We have no master now but ourselves. We kill the 
father, carry off the maid, and go where we please. 
Are you still afraid? Have a little more drink? 

Ercs. [Takes drink.) Very well, I'll follow. The 
scars on my back are still fresh in my head. 

Paris. Come on comrade ; there's the great stone 
palace only a short distance. 

^.r// Paris (///(/ Eros. [Both singing.) Revenge is 
sweet ! Revenge I Revenge ! I Revenge ! ! 

Enter NiMERy)Y>//'/ R. Glkx^cvs from L. 

Glau. Glorious victory, my Nimer. 

Ni. Yes, and much of it must be accredited to your 
generalship and fine work. I have just learned from 
my men that Messala was not slain in the hand to 
hand combat that night when we escaped from his 
house. We supposed him dead when we left him. 
But he lives and is now in Rome, at his house. I am 
on my way hither. 

Glau. I will go with you. Ionia has made a 
captive of my affections. I long to see her again. 

Ni. Do you know, my Glaucus, my fate is the 
same as yours. Only the prize is mine. When I was 
supposed to be a slave at Messala's three years ago I 



27 

met and talked with Ionia often. I concealed my 
identity for some time. But one day she manoeuvered 
to get me away from the house — no one noticed that 
the slave was in disguise — we strolled down by the 
river bank and there I revealed to her my real self and 
related to her the incidents of our accidental captivity. 
She believed in me — I won her affections, and I 
know she is faithful still. 

Glau. Your happiness, in war and love, is mine. 
If you are ahead of me I will make merry with you, 
[slaps on back) and discontinue my efforts. Let us to 
Messala's house. [Exif Glaucus and Nimer. ) 
Scene 3RD.- — Messala's house again. 

Ionia and My.ssk'lx /ound inside. 

Mess. All is lost ! It would not be so hard, Ionia,, 
were it not for you. Any minute this house may be 
plundered and burned. I hate to think of your being 
on the streets and coming in contact with the rough 
men. 

lo. My fortune is better than you think and so is 
yours. I trust him. 

Mess. Who .? 

lo. Nimer! 

Mess. My life's chances would be still more slender 
did he know I was living. 

lo. i have something to tell you, father, which 
should cheer you. I kept my secret because I did not 
want to render you unhappy. But now, since all is 
changed; since we are in ruin, what I am about to 
say should add a ray of hope to your old age. When 
the slaves were brought to our house nearly three 
years ago, I discovered their chief to be a noble man. 
Somehow he appealed to my sympathies. I longed to 



28 

give him a word of comfort and lighten his miseries. 
By some irresistible force, as it were, I was drawn to 
him. I could not rest, until one day, by bribing the 
guards, and by a disguise, I managed to get him out 
of the prison. This I did many times afterwards. But 
he would not take advantage of his liberty; he said he 
would not leave his fellows, although I urged him to 
do so. You can readily see what followed; we learned 
to love each other. He promised to return for me, 
and I expect him any moment. He could never do 
you an ill deed, for I know he loves me. So, cheer 
up! You cannot think I was wicked, for had he 
remained a prisoner the bitter cup of unhappiness 
would have been mine. Tis not his freedom that 
brought calamity upon the empire, but the vice of the 
times. 

Mess. I will not scold thee, my child, you are 
the only comfort left for me in all this world. You 
are right; I, too, was a foolish old man in believing 
that pleasure's path led to the goal of earthly content- 
ment. (Sound of feet outside.') 

Id. {fuvips up) Tis he ! He has come ! 
[Enter Paris and Eros.) 

Paris. Look at them, comrade! Look at them! 
At our mercy at last ! We have come to even up mat- 
ters. We have come to give you a taste of the cruel- 
ties you practiced upon us. Oh, you had better 
tremble; our revenge on you shall be a hundred-fold. 

Eros. Yes, thou dog of damnation, we propose to 
make you suffer tortures such as you never dreamed 
of. Do you remember how you treated us? The lash 
on the back is a mere nothing as compared with what 
is in store for you. 



29 

Paris. Ah, he takes our threats coldly. He would 
makes us believe that he would suffer like a man 
rather than a whinin^- dog. 

Eros. We will see if we can arouse his fear. Come, 
my wench, and give us a kiss. (Messala starts.) 

Paris. You attend to the old fool, I will look after 
the girl. Remember our agreement. 

Mess. Thou drunken brutes, touch yonder maid 
and you die. (Paris and Eros laugh.) 

Paris. Not so fast, my 7iob/c lord {derisively), you 
are in our power; no aid can come to you, now con- 
tinue to play the man and take your just deserts 
bravely. (Paris sficrs Ionia and Eros scuffles with 

Messala. ) 

Eros. Go slow, comrade; let Messala's degradation 
be taken in small quantities; let him drink the cup of 
mental and physical torm.ent to the very dregs. 

Enter NiMER and ( ilaucus. 

(NiMER and Glaucus run sivords througli Paris and 
Eros. ) 

NiMER. Hounds of perdition! What means this .^ 
Did you not have orders to keep away from this 
house? Die like brutes for your disobedience. (Ionia 
swoons.) Ah, my gentle maid, I hope no harm has 
come to you. 

Mess. Forgive me for past injuries. Had I not 
been a very foolish old man I might have saved my 
fellow creatures much misery. 

Glaucus. All is forgiven ! Henceforth you shall be 
our friend and we shall be yours. 

Ni. Messala, you and your house are to be spared. 
1 come to-night to visit once more the halls of my 



captivity and my love, before taking the fair Ionia 
back to the cold land of the Northmen. 

Glau. And as a memorial to this occasion, the 
mysterious statues shall appear in these halls. {£xi/ all. ) 

Scene 4th. — Messala's Garde /i. 

Enter Mess a la. 

Mess. My fate is better than I expected. I have the 
liberty either to remain here in this city of desolation 
and death, or to return with Nimer and Ionia, his bride 
to the North country and become one of their country- 
men. My last days can, at least, be spent in quiet 
and retirement. I must confess that Nimer is not a 
tyrant and a brute and that Rome's downfall is the 
result of dissipation and vice. The pride of Rome is 
fallen! How is thy glory faded, O beautiful Rome! 
The arena no longer echoes to the tramp of steel and 
:sound of tumpet; no longer is it crowded with thy 
youth, eager to display their powers in the gladiatorial 
games. Alas! the flower of thy noblemen lies low in 
■our own land! The soft note of the lute is no longer 
heard in thy moon-lit streets; the lively castanet is 
silent upon thy hills, and the graceful dance of Lydia 
:is no more seen beneath thy bowers. Behold the 
royal palace is forlorn and desolate! In vain do the 
orange and myrtle breathe their perfumes into its 
isilken chambers ; in vain does the nightingale sing 
within its groves ; in vain are its marble halls re- 
freshed by the sound of fountains and the gush of 
limpid rills. Alas ! The countenance of the emperor 
no longer shines within those halls ; the light of Rome 
is set forever. 



31 

Scene 5TH. — Messala's house, black hack ground. 
Enter Messala. 
Mess. All is changed, the walls look dark, what 
necromancy is here? Yes, yes, I remember, Glaucus 
and his mysterious statues. 

Ladder work. 

CURTAIN. 



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